REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Extending the City's Declaration of Local Emergency for COVID-19
Report
DISCUSSION
On March 12, City Manager Kent Steffens declared a local health emergency pursuant to the authority granted to him as the Emergency Services Director in Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 2.16 (Emergency Organization and Functions) and applicable state law. The City Council adopted a resolution ratifying that declaration (Resolution No. 979-20) on March 17, 2020, and resolutions extending the declaration on April 7, 2020 (Resolution No. 981-20) and May 26, 2020 (Resolution No. 994-20).
The emergency conditions related to COVID-19 continue. Since March 16, when the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health issued its initial "shelter-in-place" order, the order has been amended and extended. The State has established a phased framework for gradual reopening based on defined metrics designed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Although the most recent orders from Santa Clara County allow a greater number of activities and gradual reopening, the County continues to operate in "Stage 2" and monitor increases in COVID indicators. Therefore, staff anticipates that the COVID-19 emergency conditions will continue for some time before the public health orders are rescinded. Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution extending the City's declaration of a local emergency, to be reviewed again within 60 days pursuant to Government Code section 8630 (California Emergency Services Act). Extending the local health emergency empowers the City to continue to effectively respond to COVID-19, including staffing the EOC, coordinating with partner agencies, seeking and utilizing mutual aid, and pursuing potential federal and state reimbursement for costs related to response efforts.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyval...
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